Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

  There's so little written about Italy during World War II. After reading so many stories -- especially from France -- I needed to learn more about what happened in Italy. (I know my grandmother would want that. I remember her telling me about leaving Italy when Mussolini was just starting to gain power. Tears welled in eyes when she talked about King Victor Emmanuel. "He was a good king," she said.) Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the true, but fictionalized, story of Pino Lella, a teenager from Milan who becomes a hero -- whether he wants to believe that or not. He helps Jews escape Italy and get to Switzerland and later becomes a spy for the Allies. He also meets Mussolini and his mistress several times, as well as some other well-known historical figures. He also deeply experiences love and loss, along with terror, anger, disgust and just about every other emotion you can imagine when thinking about Nazis and Fascists. The joy he feels at the end of the war -- and partying ...

  This reads more like a novel than a work of non-fiction and kept me turning the pages to see what exciting adventure Aline would be involved in next. Aline Griffith was a small-town girl who wanted to be part of war (WWII) effort, just like her brothers and other young men. She said she was just as patriotic as they were and didn't want to be relegated to the roles women had been forced to play. She was eventually recruited to be a spy in Spain for one of the pre-cursors to the CIA. There, she met famous bullfighters (and even got in the ring once herself), royalty, celebrities, famous designers and jewelers, and some people high up in the Nazi party. She became a valuable asset because she could fit in to all social situations and make her targets feel comfortable. But there was quite a bit of danger involved and she often thought people were following her or that her cover had been blown. One of the people she meets is Luis, with whom she has an on-and-off relationship for a co...

Every time I read a book about World War II I learned something new, and am reminded of the atrocities most of us born post-war cannot even fathom. The story is told from three points of view: Vera, a woman who must leave occupied France and decided to leave her daughter with her governess to keep her safe; Lucie, her daughter, who was four-years-old when her parents left; and Sasha, a Hollywood writer and director who enlists in the army the day Pearl Harbor is bombed, who has parent issues of his own, and connects with Vera. Most of the story is about Vera wondering if Lucie is alive and safe, and hoping she can be reunited with her someday, as well as the new life she is building for herself after escaping Europe. One of the things about World War II that I hadn't thought much about was the displaced children, some of whom were never reunited with their families. Whether they were Jewish or parents of Resistance fighters or any number of other reasons they had to be hidden and g...

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the 70th anniversary of D-Day: “Today I am deeply honored to represent my fellow Pennsylvanians and all Americans in honoring the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy today, where many American service members gave their lives to push back German forces and begin the fight to liberate Europe. Pennsylvanians contributed significantly to the World War II effort with nearly 1.2 million from the Commonwealth having served by June of 1945. The Anniversary of D-Day is a poignant reminder of the tremendous sacrifices made both past and present by our service members and their families. It is our solemn duty to honor their valor.” Below are photos from Senator Casey’s visit: A view of the bluffs at Pont du Hoc, where U.S. Army Rangers heroically climbed about 100 feet straight up. President Reagan famously delivered the following line in his 1984 speech: “These are the boys of Poin...

Zippo has issued its latest collectible set, honoring the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Presented in a special gift box and accompanied by a wartime replica brass Acme clicker, or “Cricket”, this set has been created as a tribute to the courage and ingenuity of those who served on 6 June 1944. The U.S. Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions, “The Screaming Eagles”, who were the first troops to drop behind enemy lines, were equipped with a Zippo Windproof Lighter and Acme Cricket in addition to their standard battle gear. This gift set is a timely reminder of those who served in one of the world’s most important historical conflicts. About the commemorative lighter The design for the 70th Anniversary D-Day Zippo lighter was created by Zippo Design Center artist, Dave Dalton. The artwork depicts the welded iron girders, often referred to as “Czech hedgehogs,” that were half-buried along the Normandy coastline as an anti-tank defense measure and were visible in so many of the gripp...

Patton rescue mission has Bradford connection It was a rescue mission at the end of World War II that no one was supposed to know about – not even the person being rescued. But as Roger Alexis discovered, it’s too good a story not to be told. “It’s a fantastic story that no one knows about. It was covered up,” Bradford resident Alexis said of his talk – called “48 hours to Hammelburg” – that will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Bradford Area Public Library. The event is free and open to the public. Alexis gleans the title of his talk from a book of the same name written by Charles Whiting. Whiting writes about how in March 1945, Task Master Abraham Baum set out on a mission to liberate a POW camp at Hammelburg, Germany. No one knew the real reason Gen. George Patton ordered this dangerous mission – to rescue Lt. Col. John Waters – Gen. Patton’s son-in-law. However, there was another lesser known individual at the camp – Alexis’s brother, Jerry. “They kept it hush-hush until a...

Recognizing his outstanding record of military service during World War II and his contributions to the liberation of France in 1944-45, United States Army Air Forces Sergeant Herman E. White of Portville has received the honor of appointment to France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor. At a reception held this afternoon in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) presented Sergeant White with the official medal conferred upon honorees inducted into the Legion of Honor. The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest decoration in France. Appointment to the Order is awarded by the President of France for excellent civil or military conduct, as confirmed after official investigation by the French government. Not limited to French citizens alone, appointment may also be conferred upon American World War II veterans who fought to liberate France from the occupation of Nazi Germany. “Herman White put his life on hold and answered the call to serve o...

ALBANY – WWII veteran John J. Maroon has one piece of advice for students in Western New York – never give up. In honor of his dedicated service, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I –Olean) named Private First Class John J. Maroon an inductee to the 2012 New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Private Maroon served in the U.S. Army, participated in combat operations in Italy during 1944 and spent time as a Prisoner of War (POW). He often shares those experiences with school children. “It is a privilege to recognize John for his military service and his unflagging commitment to our country during combat and captivity. His service continues in his dedication to the community. His patriotism and tenacity in the face of hardship serve as a positive example to us all,” said Senator Young. Private Maroon tells his life story to students, many of whom are the same age as he was when he entered military service. “I try to tell these kids about how great our country is. I ask them ...

HARRISBURG – Two Potter County bridges are being named in honor of area Vietnam veterans under legislation authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett today. Under the law, the bridge carrying State Route 607 over Freeman Run in Austin Borough will be designated as the Captain Edgar E. Nuschke Memorial Bridge. The bridge carrying State Route 872 over the east fork of Sinnemahoning Creek in Wharton Township will be named the Private First Class Edward Ritsick Memorial Bridge. “Decades have passed since these men gave their lives for our country, but their sacrifice is no less significant today than it was on the day each of them died,” Causer said. “Naming these bridges in their honor ensures that their service is remembered by both current and future generations.” Nuschke served his country for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. He served in World War II and Korea, and in 1966 was assigned to duty in Vietnam, where he was shot down and killed....

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that ushered the U.S. into World War II. Then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt uttered the most famous description of the tragedy in an address to Congress the next day. "December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy ..." To hear the entire speech and learn more about Pearl Harbor and FDR go to http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/aboutfdr/specialtopics.html The original news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett has ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities statewide to fly at half-staff on Wednesday, Dec. 7 in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans and led the United States to enter World War II. All Pennsylvanians are invited to join in this tribute. The original news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

JAMESTOWN, NY – Jamestown resident Anthony “Tony” J. Costanzo has earned a special place of distinction in recognition of his meritorious military service during WWII and his tireless advocacy on behalf of his fellow veterans. Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) hosted a special ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #865 in Jamestown on Friday to induct Tony as a member of the 2011 New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. "It is my honor to recognize Tony who has lived a life of service not only to his country but to his community as well. He embodies the definition of a true American hero and is the exact type of individual this Hall of Fame was created to honor," said Senator Young. “Tony is 91 years young, yet he still commands the firing squad of the Vietnam Veterans post. He dedicates himself to being at veterans’ funerals, and taking part in ceremonies to honor our country. He truly is remarkable,” she added. “I would like to thank Senator Young for nominati...

By SANDRA RHODES ANF Visitors Bureau The headline could read “Dwight Eisenhower comes to Eldred.” Well, if not in person, then a pretty good understudy. Bruce Hoff will give three presentations as Gen. Dwight Eisenhower over Memorial Day weekend, May 28, May 29 and May 30, at the Eldred World War II Museum, 201 Main Street, Eldred, Pa. The presentations begin at 2 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Hoff will dress as Eisenhower, look like Eisenhower and talk like Eisenhower. However, the San Antonio, Texas, man favors the term interpretation over impersonation. “I try to give the listener what Ike would have done himself,” Hoff said. “They can make judgment as though they were meeting Ike. “I cannot sound just like him. I try. He had a very staccato walk of talking,” Hoff said, adding he has spent many hours studying the man. Hoff explained that the hour-long presentation will consist of about 40 minutes of him talking. The remaining 20 minutes will be devoted to questions ...

WELLSVILLE, NY - An official representing French President Nicolas Sarkozy will make an extraordinary exception to policy by traveling to the Southern Tier to present two local World War II veterans with high honors, according to Senator Catharine M. Young, (R,C,I-Olean). Robert Sweet and Larry Hannigan will receive the National Order of the Legion of Honour in the grade of Chevalier from Colonel Vincent de Kytspotter during a special ceremony at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Wellsville Manor Nursing Home. Originally, the veterans had been requested by the French government to travel to the French Embassy in New York City to accept the honor in recognition of their role in liberating France during World War II. The award typically is presented on French soil. It is a tradition that was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognize outstanding achievement in the military. Unable to make the long trip due to health reasons, family members contacted Se...

ELDRED, PA — On Saturday, September 25, 2010, the Eldred WWII Museum will participate in the sixth annual Museum Day, presented by Toyota on behalf of the redesigned 2011 Avalon. The Eldred WWII Museum will join participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities. Museum Day 2010 is poised to be the largest to date, outdoing last year’s record-breaking event. Over 300,000 museum-goers and 1,300 venues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participated in Museum Day 2009. Last year, two million visitors logged on to www.smithsonian.com/museumday to learn more about the program. “We are pleased to join with Museums across the country to offer a day of f...

Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau Director Linda Devlin passed this on to us: The Eldred World War II Museum made USA Today's list of the most underrated museums in the country. http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2010/08/what-are-the-most-underrated-museums-in-the-us/104910/1?csp=TravelC Linda also passes along a suggestion: If you haven't visited the museum yet-please make it a must-do for you, your family & friends.

The remains of a Tyrone man missing in action since his cargo plane went down in Burma during World War II have been identified. Clarence Frantz was 24-years-old when his C-47A Skytrain left India on May 23, 1944, to resupply Allied forces near Myitkyina, Burma. Frantz and the six other airmen will be buried with full military honors July 15 at Arlington National Cemetery. Back in 1996, the Defense Department identified Staff Sergeant Anthony "Bib" DeLucia of Bradford, who died in August of 1944 when his B-24 Liberator crashed into a mountainside in South China. http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13674